Job Fair Season-Spring 2007

1/27/2007

Job Fair Season Approaching For Graduating Students

‘Tis the season….. for job fairs. Graduating students seeking to generate face-to-face meetings with employers have been presented with a golden opportunity – a virtual guarantee of direct contact with recruiters at the myriad of job fairs taking place this spring.

The upcoming job fairs (listed below) come in all shapes and sizes – a job fair for all industries and careers, a non-profit event focusing on social services, a government career forum and criminal justice expo, women for hire expo, a K-12 teaching fair, and recruiting events targeted to women and students of color. Finding the one that fits your interests and is tailored to your job specs is the ideal scenario.

Job fairs have one distinct advantage -- you can easily meet and make your case directly to 6-10 employers in a couple of hours. In contrast, just imagine the time (seemingly endless hours, months in the making) energy (cover letter, email, cold calls, follow-up, referrals) and luck (being chosen to interview from among dozens to hundreds of candidates) that it takes to arrange for individual meetings with those same employers. Though often crowded and noisy affairs, job fairs do offer one-one contact with employers.

Here’s a 10-step plan to take advantage of the upcoming job fairs:

1. Pick a job fair(s) of particular interest2. Research specific employers and jobs of interest before the event3. Develop your 30 – 60 second commercial about you and your credentials4. Dress appropriately5. Introduce yourself to employers, pitch your 30 -60 second commercial and engage in a brief conversation about the employers needs, your background/skill set, and the potential for a match.6. Ask the recruiter for their business card at the end of the meeting.7. Take any pertinent notes immediately following the conversation and before moving to the next employer.8. Send a thank you letter and email note to “qualified prospects”9. Follow-up a week later10. Persist

Suffolk Connections, 2007 Full-time Job FairThursday – March 22, 2007 – 4-6pmSuffolk University – Ridgeway Gym 148 – Cambridge StreetAt this fair, students have the opportunity to meet with representatives from a variety of employers hiring for permanent, full-time positions. Over 40 organizations representing business, non-profits and government agencies will attend.

Idealist.org Non-Profit Career Fair Tuesday – February 6, 2007 – 12-4pmBoston University – Metcalf Ballroom – 775 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MAJob seekers can distribute resumes and speak with organizational representatives about current and future employment, internship and volunteer opportunities. There will also be a series of *free* information sessions offering career advice for nonprofit job seekers. Additionally, students will have access to 100+ employers including Harvard University, The American Cancer Society, Fresh Air Fund, Intercultural Dimensions Inc., and Big Brothers of Massachusetts Bay.www.idealist.org

Government Careers Information ForumThursday – February 15, 2007 – 12-3pmNortheastern University – Curry Center Ballroom – 360 Huntington Ave – Boston, MAThis forum, sponsored by the College Career Centers of Boston, provides the opportunity to learn about careers in state and federal government. Speak to representatives from various government agencies, such as the CIA, State Department and Department of Education. Students will rotate tables every 20 minutes. This is an informational gathering, not a job fair. Dress is business casual.www.careerservices.neu.edu/careerfairs.html

Criminal Justice Career FairWednesday – February 28, 2007 – 11:30am-2pmNortheastern University – Student CenterOpen to Suffolk University students, this career fair includes such employers as Community Resources for Justice, LP Innovations, Inc., Liberty Mutual, Massachusetts School of Law, and MetLife Auto & Home Insurance - Special Investigation Unit.http://www.northeastern.erecruiting.com/stu/cf_details?fhnd=2269

Career Connections for Students of ColorThursday – February 23, 2007 – 4-7 pmJohn Hancock Hall – Dorothy Quincy Suite – 180 Berkeley Street – Boston, MA The Career Connect is a career fair for undergraduate and graduate students of color. Students will have the opportunity to connect with corporate sponsors and learn why successful professionals have chosen Boston as a place to work. http://www.thepartnershipinc.org/PDFs/career_connection%20.pdf